Horner calls for test clarity

Christian Horner revealed Red Bull had their own invitation from Pirelli to go testing, but ultimately rejected the offer for fear of the rules

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has called for clarity about future Pirelli tyre tests.

The Italian manufacturer's 1,000-kilometre test in conjunction with Mercedes at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya last month has caused a storm in Formula One given the current car was used. Motor sport's world governing body, the FIA, has referred the matter to its international tribunal after a protest was lodged by Red Bull and Ferrari.

With Mercedes potentially in breach of the sporting regulations, the issue has raised many questions, with Horner claiming it is crucial a clear path is laid down for the way ahead, and he said: "The lack of transparency is disappointing, that you get to learn these things second hand, so it is important there is transparency."

He added: "If a supplier has issues then it needs to obviously deal with them, but when all entrants are supposedly equal, it's only right and proper that information is made transparently clear."

Horner has revealed Red Bull had their own invitation from Pirelli to go testing, but ultimately rejected the offer for fear of the rules.

"Pirelli asked several teams to test, ourselves included, but we declined because we felt it wasn't in line with the regulations, certainly with a current car," said Horner. "It's gone to the tribunal and we now trust in the FIA to make the appropriate decisions regarding it.

"The important thing is there needs to be absolute clarity moving forward in terms of what you can and can't do, what is testing and what isn't testing. That's more crucial than anything, and it has to be fully resolved."

Of primary concern for Horner is neither Pirelli nor Mercedes informed any other team of the test, which led to claims it was conducted in secret.

Horner only found out on the Saturday of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend - nine days after the test took place - following a meeting of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association in which someone let it slip.

Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn moved to quash the gossip by stating the test was "private not secret", before effectively pointing an accusing finger at Horner in return. And he said: "Anyone who believes you can go to Barcelona and do three days of testing, or 1,000 kilometres of testing, and not have anyone become aware of it is naive."